HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The Wes Leonard Never Forgotten Games will be played this Friday, January 27, at Devos Fieldhouse on the campus of Hope College in Holland.
The games have been moved to a larger venue due to the larger crowds of fans that come and unite for these games every year. .
Fennville High School hosts every year and both the girls and boys teams will take on it’s rival Saugatuck. The memory of Fennville’s Wes Leonard lives on with the Wes Leonard Heart Team. After Leonard died of sudden cardiac arrest on the court in 2011, the Team was founded. The Heart Team has certified over 400 individuals who include teachers, coaches, and community members.
One of the Heart Team’s goals was to make sure schools are safe and prepared for this type of an emergency. The Wes Leonard Heart Team has donated 200 AEDs to Michigan schools and athletic programs. Starting in the 2017-2018 school year, students in the State of Michigan will be required to learn CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) training in order to graduate. Something that Ryan Klingler, Basketball Coach and Member of the Wes Leonard Heart Team was instrumental in passing.
“That will put another 100,000 people into the communites that might be able to save a life. We think it’s a great step in the right direction. Michigan will be the 36th state that has done that and requires that as a graduation requirement. We were thrilled when that passed.”
The Never Forgotten games will be played on Friday, January 27. The girls play at 6:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $5 at the door, or $2 if you’re wearing the 2017 Wes Leonard Heart Team t-shirt. You can order one online and pick it up before the or at the games. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and you can also hear all the action on 1450 WHTC with Gary Stevens calling the games.
If your school would like to host the Wes Leonard Never Forgotten Games contact them directly online.
